Washington residents figures out H.O.P.E. spells SCAM

I called the number and talked to a Gentleman named Julio Valdez. He started off by telling me they are a non profit agency that helps homeowners trying to keep there homes from foreclosure.

I became suspicious after he told me they could help me but it would require a $1900.00 donation. Then he asked for my social security number and banking information. I did not give him the information, I told him I would call him back. I googled the name of the organization and came across your article.

I would like to know if there is a way I could find out whether this organization is legit or not? Also if they are not I would like to know if there is anything I can do to help stop them from scamming other homeowners.

7 Comments

If this company is claiming to be located in Tampa, Florida or Cheyenne, Wyoming then yes be very careful. There is a company going by the name Homeownership Protection Education Alliance and is a non-profit that mails letters to attract potential clients. The company was formed after a lawsuit was filed against the previous company Law & Associates, LLC. by the Florida Attorney General. You may check out the official press release from the Florida Attorney General at: http://myfloridalegal.com/__852562220065EE67.nsf/0/4261B25DFED0952A85257420006D7FA3?Open&Highlight=0,law,associates

If you have been a victim of this company you may call the Florida Attorney General's hotline at 1-866-966-7226

I recieved a flyer in the mail from H.o.p.e alliance AKA Homeownership Protection Education Alliance.I am currently going into foreclosure.I called h.o.p.e and was told that they are a non profit organization,In the same breath they asked me for a $1,600 donation.I am desperate and almost took the bait.They wanted banking acct# info and other personal info.My lender told me to save my money and not use them to help me.I am married and have 3 kids.I am the only source of income for my household.Treasury secretary Geitner needs to investigate these guys.This would have been an insult to injury.B.T.W the BBB says they are a consumer loan and finance company located at 13660 wright circle Tampa FL 33626-3030.Hummm Non profit?

You people are crazy H.O.P.E. is great. I tried to refinance after I fell behind a little. I believed a mortgage broker that said I could refinance, boy was I taken for a ride. I called my bank to try and asked for a workout arrangment, they made things very difficult for me. I recieved a letter and called H.O.P.E. Alliance in January. They asked me alot of questions even more that my bank asked me. After my information was reviewed they said they could help. They asked for some money $1700.00 I paid it because my bank wanted $4000.00 just to consider me for a workout. The bank called it a contribution. I was scared and asked H.O.P.E. why do I have to pay if you are non-profit, they told me they do not recieve grants from the government and the banks like Hope Now does. After H.O.P.E. contacted my bank the same people I tried to get a workout from before called me almost every day. They told me H.O.P.E. was a scam and that they couldn't help me. Then I was really scared so I called H.O.P.E to cancel everything, their people calmed me down and put me through to my negotiator he explained that banks always do that after they make contact with them. So the next time my bank called I just did what my negotiator at H.O.P.E. told me to do and told them to call H.O.P.E. After a few weeks H.O.P.E. got me an reasonable payment arrangment. I told a friend at work about H.O.P.E. and he told me that his bank told him to call them and not to call Hope Now. I would recommend H.O.P.E. Alliance to anyone who needs help with their mortgage.

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